Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-18


the construction of the long and short haul clause
are reasonably clear end pointed and though the
railroads are told to construe for themselves at
their peril, they have some plain indications OF the
course which VIII guard them from danger, as far
as penalties to be imposed by the Commission are
concerned Water competition and foreign COM
petition, as that from Canada, are pronounced
good grounds for charging less for the longer than
for the shorter haul, where that competition Is Of
controlling force in respect to trafc important in
amount, and IL IS also suggested, rather vaguely,
that discrimination may be proper In rare and Pc
culiar cases OF competition between railroads
which subject to the statute, when strict ap-
plication Of the general rule would be destructive
Of competition. on the other hand, the roads are
warned that the mere fact that the short
haul Ia way or local traffic is no excuse
for discrimination against IL, nor Is It
sufficient Justification for sgreater charge
that the shOrt-haul trafic Is more expensive
TO the carrier, unless the difference is extraord-
mary and susceptible Of definite proof; nor that
the lesser charge in the longer haul has for its
motive the encouragement OF manufactures or
some other branch OF industry, or the building
up OF business or trade centerS Is merely a con-
tinuation Of the favorable rates under which
trade centers or Industrial establishments have
been built up; and that the fact that long-h haul
traffic Will only bear certain rates is no reason
for carrying 1t for less than the expense Of
TO tell the railroads with emphasis, that changes
OF this kind from the existing condition OF affairs
are what the law IS made for and that IL IS not to
be suspended merely because IT accomplshes its
purposes The power OF these common carriers to
give shape TO the map of the country, to make
natural advantages and geographical position OF
no account by discriminating against localities
and 10 enrich some individuals at the expense of
Others by rate Determinations between them IS
10 be checked, at least until the law can be as
sauiJed The practical abolition of passes by the
law has resulted to the benefit of the public by
rendering the indirect bribery Of legislators and
others more difficult, and to the benefit OF the
roads IN the shape OF increased revenue. Forbid
ding the roads 10 make and unmake cities and
States, and compelling our common carriers to
deal fairly and impartialy by all customers, will
also result In gain TO the public and eventually to
the roads, 80 far as profits are concerned. The
cities and individuals whose fortunes are unfairly
fostered by the railroads at the expense of their
competitors viii have the principal cause Of COM
plant, and the louder their cutlery the greater
credit 10 the law as effective check of the evil
The battle-fag controversy no longer excites the
great multitude, who, approaching that the mer-
curry Is rising TO the nineties, seek spontaneously
some less heating diversion. The politicians how
ever, keep the matter alive for time while they
calculate supposed gains and losses, speculate
whether so and so viii forgive the making OF the
order, or such and such{will forgive the resembling
OF IL, and shift responsibility In the matter with
attaching praise blame from A to and
back again through the alphabet. feeble
interest Is also manifested in the discussion
OF the question OF the best disposition OF
the flags by Congress. Some say make
q public exhibition OF the nags In accordance
with the law under which they were collected
Others say, If public opinion follows that Of Rome
in desiring TO suppress the continuous and boast
ful parade OF victories won from once rebellious
fellow-citizens, the flags should at least be de-
stroyed As compromise most people will be
content TO have the flags moulder In boxes ut the
War Department. There Is wisdom in the Roman
idea that while family discipline must be pre-
served In republic or empire, the rorc1ble con-
troll of a strong and rebelnous son, re-
sulting In his amendment, Is not proper
subject for the same boastrul parade as a
victory over an outsider. The Union has been
and Will be preserved, and Is In itself the most
glorious trophy OF the victors In the civil war;
Without sacrificing one principle which the war
has established II viii be wise for all the members
OF our national family still happily united by ever
strengthening ties, 10 encourage In every manner
possible fraternal and patriotic feelings. War
with foreign nation would sweep away our family
discussions and prejudices instantly. But we do
not need 80 heroic remedy. The promise OF 1.-THE
era OF good feeling" which all hope for and ex-
pect, IS brighter every year, and no one thought
fully considering all the circumstances of the case
Will be discouraged by the battle nag episode
A Washington witness gives the first new and
startling testimony In the Sharp trial In New
York His story was told In q straightforward
Way, and the only attempt made by the defend
ants counsel 10 diScredit IL was based on the as
sumption that Mt. Sharp was not a big enough fool
70 try 10 bribe a legislative engrossing clerk at
Albany, when 1t would De sure TO be found out. To
their dear, innocent minds 1t had probably not
suggested itself that an attempt to bribe a gang
OF striking aldermen is twenty times as risky as
an attempt at one poor copyist; and yet it
Is under charge Of the latter offence
all know better how big fool he Is when
the present prosecution has ended. The strong
reply 10 this evidence IS not that Sharp is too
smart or too good TO attempt 10 bride the engross-
Ing clerk. but that such attempt has no legal
did bride the aldermen and that the evidence
should not have been admitted at this trial It "a
natural, however, that the prosecution should
wish 70 prove at this time all against sharp that
the court will permit, and not spend the rest OF
the year In getting a jury TO consider another
alleged onense. X Sharp, convicted, will not be
able 10 obtain new trial on the ground OF the adj
mission OF improper evidence, the public will be
entertained. and not particularly astonished to
learn OF ni,iOlngs BY him outside OF the charges of
the Indictment
Mr.. Blaine reception In London seems TO be for
private citizens, only second TO ex-Presldent
Grants In the enthusiasm mar infested He IA wei,
coined by a representative OF the corporation. the
American flag floats over the hotel at which he